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Hello

Not even two weeks into the new academic year and our Service Desk is having an extra-busy September. This tells us that you too are managing the peaks in workload that come around every September.

For that reason, we're keeping this newsletter brisk and efficient, and call your attention to the 'Hey Service Desk' spot at the end which summarises the vital housekeeping tasks you'll want to be on top of this month.

One year of Customer Thermometer

In July 2022, as part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we started using a one-click survey tool called Customer Thermometer. We switched to Customer Thermometer to improve our customer experience and we've written a blog post summarising our progress with Customer Thermometer and the feedback we've received in its first year. Here's a snapshot in bar chart form:

Be ready for the Autumn 2023 Census

The Autumn 2023 Census date is 5th October and the DfE return date is 1st November. For maintained schools please check with your local authority if they require you to return the census at an earlier date - some have much tighter turnarounds.

In the run-up to Census Day we've have online tutor-led courses for you, for primary and secondary schools. These courses will ease your preparation for the Autumn Census and troubleshoot any issues you have along the way such as correcting validation errors.

Producing the School Census for Primary Schools in SIMS on 21st September

Producing the School Census for Secondary Schools in SIMS on 28th September

Our FAQ lists the latest information regarding the School Census. It contains information on the latest filesets, patches and errors.

TRAINING

The next two months' training courses, with links to find out more and save your spot.

September

20^th – Standard Reporting in SIMS

21^st – Producing the School Census for Primary Schools in SIMS

26^th – SEND in SIMS for new users

27^th – Personnel for New Users in SIMS

28^th – Producing the School Census for Secondary Schools in SIMS

October

3^rd – Session 1 of SIMS New User Course

4^th – Session 2 of SIMS New User Course

4^th – Attendance in SIMS

10^th – Domestic Examinations

12^th – Maintaining the Timetable in NOVA T6

17^th – Setting up Examinations Organiser (Session 1 of 3 Examinations Organiser)

17^th – Base Data Entries Submissions (Session 2 of 3 Examinations Organiser)

18^th – Seating, Reports, Timetables (Session 3 of 3 Examinations Organiser)

31^st – SIMS New User – FULL DAY Classroom Based Course

November

1^st – Advanced Reporting with Excel Analysis in SIMS

7^th – Introduction to Timetabling in NOVA T6 using SIMS

7^th – Assessment and Progress for Secondary Schools using SIMS

8^th – Options Online in SIMS

8^th – Recording Positive and Negative Conduct in SIMS

Hey Liam!

It has been a hectic start to the new academic year. Can you remind me of the vital housekeeping I need to do on our MIS?

I'm glad you asked! Our Service Desk pulled together all of the end of year/beginning of year housekeeping, and we've summarised it in this newsletter sent before the start of term.

Customer feedback corner – thank you 😊